A MUSLIM leader has called for an end to the escalating violence in the Middle East – as the first day of the Islamic new year was marred by a river of bloodshed in Gaza.

Sarfraz Sarwar, leader of the Basildon Islamic Centre, hit out as Israel unleashed a third day of air strikes on Palestinian targets. So far more than 300 men, woman and children have been killed.

Mr Sarwar spoke out as muslims across the globe celebrated the first day of Muharram, which traditionally involves a day of fasting and peaceful prayer.

He also attended a mass protest against the bombings outside the Israeli Embassy in London on Sunday.

Mr Sarwar said: “What’s happening is so, so sad and so frustrating.

“More politicians and key figures need to speak out about what’s going on and now. The whole world is watching, but nobody is condemning it.

“As soon as Palestinians retaliate they will be branded terrorists and yet again all Muslims will be tarred with the same brush.

“This is the 21st century and there is no need for all this senseless killing.

“Israel needs to get politicians who have common sense and who will sit down and talk, not support bombings that are killing innocent people.”

Israeli air raids have pounded the Gaza Strip since Saturday, hitting key sites linked to militant group Hamas.

Hundreds of civilians, including schoolchildren, have been killed. The chaos has now sparked a humanitarian crisis with over 800 Palestinians wounded and with hospital beds and medical services under extreme pressure.

Israeli leaders say the strikes are in retaliation to ongoing missile attacks by Hamas militants into Israel.

The bloodshed began just a week after a fragile truce between Israel and Hamas came to an end.

Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak said Israel was not fighting the people of Gaza, but was in “a war to the bitter end” with Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007.

Mr Sarwar, who has battled to bridge gaps between Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities across the Basildon district, said war was not the answer. He said: “Violence like this makes it so hard to bring religions together.

“At the protest march I met hundreds of young Muslims who are in no way fanatical. They haven’t been brainwashed and aren’t religious zelots, they are normal young men, but see what is happening and they are getting frustrated. It’s senseless violence like this that will feed their anger and will make them want to fight.

“This is not what we want, but you can’t blame people for retaliating. Israel is a military superpower. Many people don’t realise that.

“It is getting away with launching strikes like this when they should be talking and trying to find a peaceful solution.

“It’s sad the start of the Islamic new year has been marred by this violence.

“Unless action is taken now and other countries intervene, it could get so much worse.”